Date: 12/01/2009

San José State faculty, staff and students are invited to attend "The Path of Our Trash: Exploring Alternatives in Consumer Purchasing, Procurement and Waste Management" at noon Tuesday, December 8, in King 225/229. The Office of the President will sponsor the event, next in the Sustainability Matters Series. Please RSVP by Friday, December 4 by contacting Melanie Schlitzkus.

The workshop, especially relevant to all employees making purchasing decisions for their departments, will feature a panel discussion examining the journey trash takes from the cradle (procurement) to grave (compost, recycling and landfill facilities). Participants will also learn about how SJSU can contribute to waste reduction and materials re-use. Everyone in attendance will receive an alternative holiday gift giving guide, a sampling of healthy and a sustainable seasonal snacks, and raffle entry for alternative holiday gifts.

The moderator will be Bruce Olszewski, director, SJSU Center for the Development of Recycling. Panelists will include Mark Bowers, solid waste program manager, city of Sunnyvale; Amy Chan, customer liaison, SJSU Procurement and Support Services; Rob D'Arcy, board chair, California Product Stewardship Council; Terri Ramirez, recycling specialist, SJSU Facilities Development & Operations; Linden Skjeie, San José Office of Sustainability & Environmental Services; and Fritz Yambrach, SJSU associate professor and packaging program director.